Regarding Performing Hajj with a Mother-in-Law and Hajj on Behalf of a Deceased Person

Question: My father-in-law died last year, and he had no sons. My mother-in-law wants to perform Hajj with me, and she will cover my expenses. Is this permissible under Islamic law? Can I also perform Hajj on behalf of my deceased father-in-law?

Answer: You may perform Hajj with your mother-in-law as her son-in-law because you are her mahram—a person whom she is permanently prohibited from marrying. According to this ruling, women must have a mahram to accompany them on the Hajj journey. A woman becomes obligated to perform Hajj when she can afford the expenses and has access to a suitable mahram.

In some cases, a woman may become obligated to perform Hajj if she can afford the expenses for both herself and her mahram. If a mahram is already travelling for Hajj, the woman may become obligated to perform Hajj if she can afford her own expenses.

Your mother-in-law may pay your expenses. Your first Hajj will be your own, regardless of who pays for it, because the intention determines whose Hajj is being performed. You can perform Hajj on behalf of your deceased father-in-law on another occasion.

However, performing Hajj on behalf of someone else before completing your own Hajj is also permissible. If Hajj is obligatory for you, you should explain this to your mother-in-law and perform your own Hajj with her. You can perform Hajj on behalf of your father-in-law later; this would be the more appropriate course.